Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (familia K12: K12B/K12C/K12D/K12M)Ignition coils and spark plugs
Ignition coil: no documented pattern of faults on the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Why this rating?
Low severity: A nuisance or wear. It does not immobilise the car or damage other parts.
Frequency rare: We specifically searched for mentions of ignition coils or misfires in the gebrauchtwagenberater.de articles on the Splash, Swift and Ignis, and in the owner testimonies on fiches-auto.fr for the Swift 2, Swift 3 and Ignis, without finding a single case. It does not appear in the Wikipedia entries on the K engine family either. With no documented cases, we do not treat it as an engine fault.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Symptoms
- This would be the expected symptom of a coil or ignition fault, but none of the sources consulted for this engine describe it.[4][5]Engine warning light: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
Affected cars and years
The three versions in this entry share the same ignition and Dualjet indirect injection system (or its single-injector predecessor); no source documents a fault in any of them.[1][7]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013) | 2008–2013 | K12B |
| 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020) | 2013–2020 | K12BK12C |
| 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016) | since 2016 | K12CK12D |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Suzuki
- Suzuki Splash2008–2014
- Suzuki Swift IV2010–2013
- Suzuki Swift IV2013–2017
- Suzuki Swift V2017–2024
- Suzuki Ignis2016–2020
- Suzuki Ignissince 2020
- Suzuki Baleno2018–2020
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis of the ignition system and replacement of the coil or coils if a code reading confirms it; not applicable if no fault is found.[4]
There is no cost to give because there is no documented fault to repair on this engine.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Start the engine cold and warm and check that it does not shudder or vibrate at idle, which are signs of a misfire on any engine.
Parts for this fault
The affected part, searched for your car or engine. Use the diagnosis to confirm what is failing before you buy it.
Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links
How to prevent it
- Use spark plugs of the type and at the interval specified by the manufacturer: worn plugs put more strain on the coils in any engine.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Does the Suzuki 1.2 VVT or Dualjet have ignition coil problems?
We have not found documented cases in German specialist workshops or in testimonies from Swift, Ignis or Splash owners.[4][5][6]
Why do people ask so much about the coil on small petrol engines?
It is a common wear part on many naturally aspirated and turbo engines, but it does not appear as a specifically documented weak point on this Suzuki 1.2.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchClutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failureSeveral Swift and Ignis owners with a manual gearbox describe a clutch that bites abruptly and wears out sooner than expected; on the Ignis's AGS automated gearbox, gebrauchtwagenberater.de directly points to fast clutch wear in town driving. There is no manufacturer campaign for this cause.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsSHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and softwareThe 1.2 Dualjet's SHVS (belt-driven starter generator and lithium battery) had two recalls, already resolved, on the Ignis: the belt that can break (2016-2018) and a software error in the hybrid control unit (up to 2018). There is no documented ongoing battery fault.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareCoolingWater pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recallOn cars with the 1.2 engine built in 2013-2014, gebrauchtwagenberater.de documents a possible insufficient fixing of the water pump pulley which, if it comes loose, can cause overheating; it describes this in connection with the Suzuki Splash.
- Low severityFrequency: RareLubricationOil consumption: no documented patternThe German specialist workshops and the Swift, Ignis and Splash owners we consulted do not describe high oil consumption on the 1.2 VVT or the 1.2 Dualjet; several explicitly describe it as reliable with normal maintenance.
More faults with the ignition coils on other engines and cars
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent1.4 and 1.6 16vIgnition coil failureThe individual ignition coils are the most-cited fault of the K4J/K4M in the European Renault versions: they fail frequently and cause jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on. It is a cheap electrical part to replace, not internal engine damage.Appears at around 30,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.2 PureTechSpark plug breakage on the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech turboOn the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech/e-THP turbo the original spark plugs can break; if a fragment falls into the cylinder it can damage the engine. Autojournal cites a 2015 recall to replace them on the 308 II.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N43/N46Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43)On the direct-injection BMW N43, failures of the injectors, ignition coils (mainly in 2007-2008 units, now rare after a BMW service action) and the NOx sensor of its lean-burn combustion have been documented. The indirect-injection N46 does not have that sensor and does not suffer these failures.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N54/N55Oil in the spark plug wells from the rocker cover gasketOn the N54 and N55 the rocker cover gasket hardens with age and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells. Guides treat it as a known fault: it smells of burnt oil and can damage spark plugs and coils.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.0/1.2/1.4 EcotecIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils on this engine fail fairly often in the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Adam, causing jerking, the engine warning light and, in the clearest cases, the engine running on one cylinder fewer; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil.Repair (garage): €150–€480Appears at around 15,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 TurboIgnition coil failureThe ignition coils of the 1.4 Turbo fail fairly often on the Mokka and Meriva B, with jerking, occasional loss of power and the engine warning light on; the garage fixes it by replacing the affected coil or coils.Repair (garage): €400–€600Appears at around 47,000 km
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish